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FOSS Force

Where in Hell Has FOSS Force Been?

By Christine Hall on August 6, 2017 |

Site News

Where in Hell Has FOSS Force Been?blindfold blind FOSS Force

We promise you that FOSS Force hasn’t deserted you. We’ve just been making a few adjustments.

blindfold blind FOSS Force

You might have noticed that we’ve pretty much been missing in action since the first of May. Roblimo’s been here, when he can. So has the “Mr. Rogers of open source” — that would be Phil Shapiro — who never takes a negative viewpoint when there’s a positive to be found. But me? I’ve been completely out-of-the-loop. The last time I wrote anything for FOSS Force was back on May 11.

What the heck happened? A couple of things, starting with blindness.

Continue readingWhere in Hell Has FOSS Force Been?
Finding an Ergonomic Computer Chair an Ubuntu User Can AffordWorkPro® Quantum 9000 chair

Finding an Ergonomic Computer Chair an Ubuntu User Can Afford

By Robin "Roblimo" Miller on August 3, 2017 |

Humor

Are you looking for a chair that’s guaranteed to work with any and all Linux distros and at a price you can afford? Ask Roblimo, he’ll steer you in the right direction.

WorkPro® Quantum 9000 chair

Roblimo’s Hideaway

I loved seeing an article by our friend Bruce Byfield about buying an ergonomic office chair. Bruce is a smart guy, a Linux user to the max, and author of the excellent book, Designing with LibreOffice. But what’s all this about choosing a Herman Miller chair? Those things are priced for SuperMac UltraPro users!

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The Many Loves of Richard M. Stallman

The Many Loves of Richard M. Stallman

By Robin "Roblimo" Miller on July 13, 2017 |

Community and Humor

RMS Stallman

Here’s a blast from the past. A tale about RMS from back in the days when Roblimo was young — younger than he is now at least — and Stallman was…well, Stallman.

Roblimo’s Hideaway

This is a true story about something that happened at a Department of Commerce treaty hearing in Washington D.C., the kind of event that gets (nearly) zero press even though it’s important. In fact, I was the only reporter there, covering it for Linux.com because some of the proposed treaty language had to do with software patents and licensing — and also because two people I knew were testifying, namely Jamie Love and Richard M. Stallman.

Continue readingThe Many Loves of Richard M. Stallman
Why Is Open Source Important to You?

Why Is Open Source Important to You?

By Phil Shapiro on July 11, 2017 |

Community and Video

While watching this video called “Why Is Open Source Important to Us,” we suddenly found ourselves wondering why it’s important to you.

By Johannes Spielhagen, Bamberg, Germany
[CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

The Screening Room

Interesting comments from people working the open source way at Liferay.

Liferay is a CMS used for intranets, portals, etc.

“Anytime I want to learn something new, open source actually makes that available to you… By contributing, you put yourself out there and you give other people the opportunity to help you grow…”

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Should the Fair License Replace the GPL?fair license gpl

Should the Fair License Replace the GPL?

By Robin "Roblimo" Miller on July 6, 2017 |

Copyright

It seems to us that enterprises have adopted “permissive” licenses because they see them as a way to “have their cake and eat it too.”

fair license gpl

Roblimo’s Hideaway

The GPL has many good points, as well as restrictions that make it unappealing to many commercial software producers and users. Plus, over the years, it has accumulated tons of political baggage only marginally related to its utility as a software license. So should we consider the Fair License as a possible replacement? And, whether we like it or not, are permissive licenses — like the Fair License, BSD License, and MIT License taking over anyway?

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An Ode to the Coming of the 4K Boardgramophone

An Ode to the Coming of the 4K Board

By Phil Shapiro on July 4, 2017 |

Hardware, Humor and Video

Our irrepressible Phil Shapiro thought you might like to hear something on the Fourth that isn’t a national anthem or the 1812 Overture. And who knew he could sing or play an instrument? We’re considering renaming his column, The Penguinista Minstrel.

gramophone
Pixabay

The Screening Room

Every jump in computer resolution technology brings with it a cornucopia of new creative and business opportunities. When I noticed recently that an affordable 4K hobby computer board was being launched on Kickstarter, I felt moved to compose this song — Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the 4K Board.

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‘Meeting for Good’ – Schedule Meetings in Multiple Time Zones

By Phil Shapiro on June 20, 2017 |

Community, Tutorial and Video

The Screening Room

One of the great joys of open source is that it can unite geographically dispersed people to work together on software and other projects. This often happens asynchronously, via email and other tools. However, sometimes there are real benefits to having a live meeting. When that happens, keeping track of people’s availability in different time zones becomes a challenge.

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Let’s Search Random Computers for Porn! Without a Warrant!John Wayne

Let’s Search Random Computers for Porn! Without a Warrant!

By Robin "Roblimo" Miller on June 14, 2017 |

Politics and Security

The Electronic Frontier Foundation wants to protect you from warrantless searches by computer repair people and they’re looking for your help.

John Wayne

Roblimo’s Hideaway

Warrant? Hah! Did John Wayne ever get a warrant? Fourth Amendment, you say? We don’t need no stinking amendments around here. We’re Geek Squad and we’re on the side of THE LAW, so if we find anything illegal on your computer and hand it to the FBI, you have no right to complain, pilgrim, and we deserve a reward!

Continue readingLet’s Search Random Computers for Porn! Without a Warrant!

Caleb Hawkins Talks Music & Open Source

By Phil Shapiro on June 13, 2017 |

Community

The Screening Room

Open source attracts some of the most wonderfully creative people. I learned this when video interviewing a longtime open source buddy of mine, Caleb Hawkins, a singer/songwriter in Indianapolis, Indiana. I met Caleb online via our shared interest in the Inkscape vector drawing program. Only after I met him did I learn of the neat ways he uses other open source programs, such as Audacity and Ardour. Meet Caleb in this video interview.

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The Spirit of Open Source

By Phil Shapiro on May 23, 2017 |

Video

The spirit of open source can be found all around us in the world. Just look for it, and you’ll find it.

The Screening Room

This evening when I spotted this music video on YouTube, my immediate reaction was — “That’s a song about open source!”

Continue readingThe Spirit of Open Source
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